The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1887-05-05
Plant Trees.

''Givc fools their gold and knaves their power
Let fortunes bubbles rise and fall;
Who sows field, or trains flower.
| Or plants tree, is more than ALL
! Much of the beauty Of our beautiful city in
summer is due to the long lines of trees OH our
older streets. That this beauty be perpetuatcd
and enhanced is duty in which we have part
to perform. AS the first general observance OF
! Arbor Day in this state is at hand few practi-
cal suggestions as to the selection and trans
planting Of trees and shrubs may be of some
value.
The elm and the rock maple are, all things
considered. the most desirable sorts for streets.
The former is at home in wet, heavy soil
while the latter finds higher, well drained
ground more congenial. For the embcllish-
ment Of private grounds the list may be enlarg-
ed considerably. Much depends upon the taste
of the owner, the effect desired, and the sur
roundings. 1t is not wise for an inexperienced
person to choose tree for transplanting. at
this season of the year at least, which is more
than 1-2 inches in diameter a short distance
above the ground. A tree growing in open
ground or on the edge of forest will bear
u titlIllli5 DCllcl lHOsc tdhcu lIOIu u
dense growth. 1t will also have better proper
tons. The trunk will be shorter, the top more
symmetrical. 1t will have become more inur-
ed to blasts of winter and will suffer less from
the extreme heat of summer.
The implements needed to dig up tree are
stout spade, hoe, Il crow bar and an old axe.
In early spring, no earth need be carried away
adhcring to the roots. With the spade and hoe,
dig a narrow trench around the tree some three
feet from the trunk and cut off such roots as
come in the way. Remove the earth about the
| tree, taking care not to injure the bark or the
roots, and especially avoid breaking the rootlets.
Then lift the tree out with the bar, ut the same
time pushing on the trunk with the hand Do
not sway the tree back and forth with too much
force Keep the tree sheltered from wind and
sun until the ground is prepared to receive it.
To properly dig even a small tree is attended
with much labor. The proper setting is much
more important and takes no less time. A cav
ity should be dug considerably larger and deep
cr than is necessary to receive the roots, ex.
tended in natural position. The earth should
he well pulverized before it is replaced about
the tree. With sharp knife prune the ends of
all broken roots, making smooth cut. Jndg-
ment must be used in pruning the top. No
definite rule can be given. 1t may be suggest
ed. however. that the top should be shortened
in about the same proportion rs the roots have
been. always with view to the form and
beauty of the tree. Set little deeper in the
ground than it stood where it grew and with
the same side to the south. If the tree grew in
a well lighted spot this may readily be deter.
mined in most cases by the different color of
the bark where the sun has tinged it. Being
placed i'll position, two or three stakes should
be set firmly in the ground between the roots
before the earth is filed in. The finest mould
should he carefully put about the roots By hond
while the sods and coa:ser material is reserved
for the outer and the upper spaces. After the
planting the trunk should be secured to the
tops of the stakes that heavy winds can not
cause any movement of the roots. When very
dry weather comes on a mulch will serve to
keep the earth moist l do not think it atlvis-
at to add very much to the fertility of fairly
good soil, by artificial means, until late in the
autumn A. l. BROWN